The El Pasoans will always be the largest roster on the UTEP football team.
Most of the 18 locals on the current roster who will participate this spring are walk-ons, and while not all will see the field, some will. In many of these cases, it will be the realization of a dream they've had since watching the Miners in the Sun Bowl all those years ago.
“I love playing here,” said tight end Julian Lopez, a Chapin graduate. “I grew up here and grew up coming to the games. I love playing on that field.”
“It means the world,” coach Scotty Walden said Wednesday after the team completed its seventh of 15 spring practices. “It's fun to watch them every day, and they're living the dream every day. There's something like a sense of pride. When we got here, we said we wanted to get the best players in El Paso, first of all. I would like to start and work in El Paso” outside.
“I mean it means so much more to them. What I see is they take a lot of pride in the details and what we do and to see them come to fight every day. It's fun. They're doing it in their hometown, for their families and the city they grew up in. ”
Here are some El Pasoans who could make an impact at UTEP this year.
Julian Lopez, senior tight end
Lopez stood out last year as a redshirt junior, appearing in all 12 games. Although he spent most of his time on special teams, he caught three passes for 16 yards, and with the graduation and departure of starter Zach Fryer, this is a year in which Lopez will be in the spotlight as a playmaker. It might become.
He is excited about the direction of the program under Walden.
“I love the change. It's totally different, especially the energy,” he said. “I love going to meetings early in the morning and Coach Walden is already there screaming and getting me ready for practice. It's really fun.”
Ivan Escobar, Junior Center
Last season, the Montwood graduate was one of three El Pasoans on the second-team offensive line, and now he's been elevated to that position. Escobar, in his third season with the program, is ready to serve as the team's anchor.
“Now it's my turn. I have to take responsibility, especially as a center,” Escobar said. “We have to get the players ready. We're ready and we're happy to be here now.
“We're getting better every day and getting closer as a team.”
“That's one of the reasons I came here,” he said of getting the chance to play in the Sun Bowl. “It's a blessing to be able to stay home and show up in front of my family.”
According to Walden, “He's all in right now. We love what he's doing. He's doing a great job. … Ivan is spot-on with his calls. He’s responding and doing a great job. He’s giving it his all.”
Joseph Imidiato, junior offensive lineman
Imidiato, an Eastwood graduate, rose through the ranks in his first three years in the program and now looks ready to contribute.
Tyrone McDuffie, freshman offensive lineman
The Parkland graduate originally signed with Colorado for the 2023 season, but after a coaching change there, he switched plans and came to UTEP. He spent the last year redshirting and is ready to make an impact this year. This will be his first spring in the minors.
“It's going well,” McDuffie said. “My teammates, especially seniors Benan Smith and Otis Pitts, have guided me since the first spring. We all work hard together to get things done. It's going to be a great friendship. I just want to keep working, keep getting better, keep improving. (Playing time) will come as the journey progresses. ”
“I've been coming to games here since I was 7 years old,” McDuffie said of playing in El Paso. “I've seen players in this minor league uniform over the years, so it means a lot to me to wear this uniform and carry on that tradition back home.”
Davis Barnes, junior safety
Over the past two seasons, the Coronado graduate has emerged as a special teams ace, appearing in every game. He entered as a wide receiver in 2020 when his father, Keith Barnes, was on the staff and has seen quite a change in his time.
He has established himself on special teams and is also looking to break into the depth chart as a safety.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com. @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
